One Nation Under Gods: Loaded and prejudicial language

There are many instances in this work which employ loaded or prejudicial language in order to lead the reader to a specific conclusion. A number of instances of this practice are documented in this section.

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One Nation Under Gods

9-11

"[T]he Smiths finally gave up on finding deliverance from their poverty by any means that might be termed legitimate employment. They turned instead to borrowing, fast-talking, and 'money-digging' through occult divination."

60 (PB)

"This story would prove to be one of Smith's best tales."

104

"Mindless devotion to Smith's teachings also raised the ire of non-Mormons attempting to reason with the Saints about the folly of their beliefs. Reason and logical thinking meant little to Mormons, who commonly rejected analytical thought in favor of supernatural experience."

116

Joseph "recevied yet another revelation on August 2, 1833, the contents of which seemed to indicate that God also was unaware of the Missouri tragedy."

132 (PB)

"Although Smith never took any Lamanites as wives, he did begin establishing what would gradually become a fairly large harem of young girls and women taken from his flock of 'white and delightsome' disciples."

133 (PB)

"[A]n attempt to cover-up the Smith-Alger affair appeared in the church's 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants..."

135 (PB)

"Smith decided to solve his economic dilemma by establishing a bank for the purpose of land speculation."

136

"Smith resorted to a rather ingenious deception..."

172

"...for Joseph, his followers were more than willing to accept any excuse he might give them...intellectual reasoning and logical thought never had played more than a minor role in their belief system."

173

"[I]n lieu of Jesus Christ, who would reign supreme at his second coming, Smith installed himself as Zion's dictator."

175

"...the 'grandeur of Joseph Smith's life' was noted as the all-important truth that the world needed to hear. Levi [Edgar Young]'s prayer was that thousands would turn not to God, but to Joseph.'"